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In this episode, we take a break from our usual astronomical antics to reflect on sustainability in the cosmos. Cormac, Cole and Shashank explore how the Universe manages to recycle material across all scales, from pepping up prostrated pulsars to cleaning up our orbital backyard. We conclude with a discussion of how analogies are (sometimes over)used in astronomy, and ponder when exactly a supernova remnant begins.
Episode 120: Old Galaxies, New Problems
We’ve known about the existence of galaxies for about a hundred years, but how well do we actually know the extragalactic universe? In today’s episode, we dive deep on the earliest galaxies in the universe. Sanika covers her first bite on paradoxical galaxies that seem to be the deadest where we expect them to be alivest, and Shashank shows us a source of hidden mass in ancient galaxies that for once isn’t dark matter.
Episode 119: Gravitational Vibes
In this episode, we dive into the ripples of spacetime with a special focus on gravitational waves. Cole and Cormac are joined by a new host, Sanika, who introduces her research in gravitational-wave astrophysics and sets the stage for the discussion. Together, they explore the role of neutron star and black hole mergers in producing gravitational waves, how we detect them, and what they reveal about some of the most extreme events in the universe. The conversation highlights major achievements from detectors like LIGO and Virgo, from the first historic detection to the growing catalog of binary mergers. Looking ahead, they discuss the exciting future of the field, including next-generation observatories and space-based missions like LISA. By the end, you’ll be tuned into the gravitational vibes shaping modern astrophysics. Fact sheet: https://ligo.org/detections/gw250114-10-years-of-gravitational-wave-astronomy/
Episode 118: Star-studded submissions
In this episode, as we (at the time of recording) approach Astronomy’s (JWST) awards season, Cormac and Cole shed some light on just how ideas become astronomical datasets. Our two putative principal investigators discuss why grad students should consider applying for telescope time, the main components and categories of proposals, and how successful proposals are finally selected and scheduled. We conclude with our most memorable moments from our own efforts to get time on facilities like JWST, Roman and Gemini.
Episode 117: A Field Day
Episode 117: A Field Day In this episode, we move away from point particles to talk about fields. Shashank, Cole and Cormac start with a discussion of different kinds of fields in astrophysics. Then, Cole describes Lagrange points and why they can be useful for satellites and asteroids seeking a safe place to camp out (or lay siege). Cormac dives into the atmospheres of hot Jupiter exoplanets, where we get a glimpse of temperature and wind velocity fields on other planets. By the end, you’ll certainly have a lot more field experience!
Episode 116: Love’s Gonna Get you killed, but Tide’s gonna be the death of you
In our valentines’ day special, Shashank, Cole, and Cormac explore the dating lives of stars and other compact objects by looking at the romantic couples of astrophysics: binary systems. Immediately ruining this theme, Shashank covers some particularly messy breakups (though these lovers are able to rebound and move on) while Cormac shows us how even stars’ healthy relationships involve some give and take.
Episode 115: Star Wrapped Holiday Special
In today’s extra-special seasonal episode, Cormac, Lucia and Shashank share some of their highly curated metrics inspired by Spotify wrapped to end our a[s]b year. Much like ourselves, this episode is a mixed bag - we hope you enjoy it! This also marks the start of our long-awaited Winter (or Summer, depending on your hemisphere) break - see you in a few weeks!
Episode 114: A World of Disc-overy
This week, Shashank, Cole, and Cormac dive into the many disks of the universe, from planet-forming disks to AGN and galactic structures. Cole explores a misbehaving protoplanetary disk that hints at chaotic early planet formation. Cormac follows by showing how external radiation can erode disks and hinder the birth of giant planets. We then zoom out to compare these turbulent young systems to the massive disks around galaxies and supermassive black holes, tying together why disks form across so many cosmic environments and the methods we use to explore them.
Episode 113: Black Holes? Here? It’s more likely than you think.
In today’s episode, Cole, Cormac, and Shashank celebrate our glorious return from hiatus by tackling an astronomical favorite: black holes. These guys are important to astronomers for a wide range of reasons, but what happens when you find a black hole somewhere weird? Like in another black hole’s accretion disk? Or in your model of dark energy? Or in a Hot dog? Shashank covers a lot of similar-sounding acronyms for when we find black holes living inside (the accretion disks) of other black holes, while Cormac does his second ever astrobite with a type of sausage in the title, establishing a worrying precedent.
Episode 112.5: Extremely Looming Trouble?
In today’s mini-episode, Cormac highlights how a proposed industrial megaproject threatens the pristine observing conditions at Paranal Observatory - home of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, as well as the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope and Cherenkov Telescope Array South facilities. We will also be taking our summer break a little later than usual - see you in a few weeks!
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